ISL 2016:Delhi Dynamos demolish FC Goa 5-1 to inch closer to semis

Delhi Dynamos took an inch closer towards the semi-finals of the ongoing third edition of the Indian Super League (ISL) after crushing FC Goa 5-1 at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium here last evening.

Brazilian striker Marcelinho Pereira scored a magnificent hat-trick with goals in the 38th, 48th and 56th minute while Richard Gadze scored the other two goals. Delhi have now moved to the second spot with 20 points from 12 matches.

In the first half, the teams were tied 1-1 after Fulganco Cardozo gave Goa the lead in the 31st minute but Marcelinho equalised seven minutes later. Delhi's domination in the second session, however, stunned FC Goa as they conceded four goals in nine minutes.

After a cagey start where Delhi Dynamos were the better team, FC Goa surged ahead just after half an hour's play through Fulganco. A neat through pass from Reinaldo Oliveira saw Julio Cesar draw out defender Anas Edathodika and goalkeeper Sorem Porei. His attempt from a narrow angle saw the goalkeeper close it down but the rebound fell for Fulganco who tapped it inside an empty goal.

Delhi equalised within seven minutes from a well-worked free-kick. Florent Malouda chose to slide a ball through for Marcelinho on the left and the Brazilian striker made no mistake slamming the ball past Goa goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani.

In the second session, there was a complete transformation as Delhi scored four goals in nine minutes. Marcelinho started Delhi's goal run in the 48th minute scoring from nowhere. He got a ball about 25 yards out, cut past Richarlyson who was marking him and then sent a rasping drive that beat Kattimani for the second time.

Richard Gadze scored his first of the night in the 51st minute after Marcelinho turned provider and the Brazilian himself completed his hat-trick in the 56th minute. Marcos Tebar played a nice diagonal ball from Delhi's own half which saw Marcelinho take Goa defender Debabrata Roy for a ride on the right, cutting him inside and then leaving him rooted to the ground before he hammered the ball inside the goal.

Gadze made it 5-1 in the 57th minute. It was Tebar again who provided a delightful overhead ball which Gadze controlled, then shunted out the challenge of Raju Gaekwad and scored his second goal of the night.

Delhi, however, are not yet guaranteed of a semi-final spot as yet as three other teams (Kerala Blasters, Atletico de Kolkata and NorthEast United) can all overtake their points tally if results go their way. Delhi requires two point from their last two matches to stand a chance of qualification to play-offs.

On the other hand, the defeat left FC Goa rooted to the bottom with 11 points from 13 matches and they will be hugely embarrassed after suffering their biggest defeat in the history of ISL.